When we are facing challenges, it can feel like wandering in the darkness, but there is Wonder to be found all around us. We will embark on this search together – finding hope and wonder here in our own dear community 

We anticipate that this service will be both in-person and on Zoom. Click right here Sunday shortly before 10:00 a.m. to join via Zoom. Click here to read our protocols for in-person attendance.When attending in person, please completely power off your cell phone during the service to preserve the Church’s WiFi bandwidth for our Zoom attendees.

“Finding Wonder in the Darkness”
with Rev. Telos Whitfield

 

Order of Service
Sunday, December 11, 2022

Greeting                                                                       Rev. Telos

Board Welcome & Announcements                        Elizabeth Lewis

Prelude:   Andante, from Sonatina in D     Franz Schubert
Peter Gibbons, viola;  Eva Greene, piano 

Chalice Lighting by Brian Kiely                          Jamie Gibson
In times of darkness we stumble towards the tiny flame.
In times of cold we seek the warming fire.
In times of repression we reach for the lamp of truth.
In times of loss we pray for the comforting light.
In times of joy we light a candle of celebration.
Spirit of Life, as we kindle this light, help us find what we need this day.

Lighting Our Children’s Chalice
We light this chalice to celebrate Unitarian Universalism. We are the church of the open minds. We are the church of the helping hands.  We are the church of the loving hearts.

Call to Worship                                                          Rev. Telos                                                     

Opening Hymn #346:   “Come Sing a Song with Me”

Story For All of Us: “I Wonder” by Annika Harris, illustrated by John Rowe Read    

Anthem: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” words traditional, music by Charles Gounod
                         All Souls Choir, Tom Baehr, Director

Sharing Readings

Sermon: “Finding Wonder in the Darkness”                  Rev. Telos

Hymn #1002:    “Comfort Me”

Offering shared with Groundworks Collaborative

Offertory: “I wonder as I wander” by folklorist John Jacob Niles (1892-1980), based on a song fragment heard in the southern Appalachians
  Eva Greene, piano

Our Candles of Joys and Sorrows

Closing Hymn #226:   “People Look East”

Exitinguishing the Chalice                                        Jamie Gibson
Even as we extinguish our flame and the darkness comes close, may we keep our eyes and hearts open to the light that is here, the wonder that is present and this, our community that holds us in love and care.

Closing Circle: “Carry the flame of peace and love
Until we meet again.” (sung two times)
Benediction                                                                         Rev. Telos